0833 GMT - Danone seems to prefer to deploy cash toward acquisitions, but the small size of deals like Monday's for Kate Farms raises the question of whether cash returns should step up, Barclays analysts say. "With Danone's cash improving and deleveraging accelerating, we wonder where the cash goes," the analysts say. As long as deals continue to be small in size like Kate Farms, Barclays wonders whether it is time for Danone's cash returns to increase in the interim, the analysts say. The French food company said it agreed to buy a majority stake in U.S. plant-based nutrition company Kate Farms for an undisclosed sum, but Barclays reckons the deal was likely small. Shares fall 1.6%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 12, 2025 04:34 ET (08:34 GMT)

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